bobbins



(No Model.)

W. H. ROBBINS.

SWITCH. Patented Nov. 14, 1893.

ilkamli mam l UN TED STATES PATENT O ICE.

WILLIAM H. ROBBINS, OF MILL GROVE, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR OF ON E-HALF TOHERMON EpROBBINS, OF SAME PLACE.

S-WITCH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 508,840, dated November14, 1893.

Application filed February 15, 1893. Serial NOABZABS- (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

-Be it known that I, WILLIAM H. ROBBINS, a citizen of the United States,residing at Mill Grove, in the county of Blackford and State of Indiana,have invented a new and useful Switch, of which the following is aspecification.

The invention relates to improvements in switches.

The objects of the present invention are to simplify, improve andcheapen the construction of switches, and to enable the switch rail toserve as a guard rail when the switch is closed and the main line isfree.

A further object of the invention is to provide means for carrying atrain safely over the switch should such train accidentally run throughthe switch when the latter is open.

The invention consists in the construction and novel combination andarrangement of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in theaccompanying drawings and pointed out in the claims hereto appended.

In the drawings-Figure 1 is a perspective view of a switch constructedin accordance with this invention and shown closed. Fig. 2 is a planview of the same the switch being open.

Like numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in both thefigures of the drawln s. 1

designates a continuous main rail at one side of the track, and at theother side are arranged main rails 2 and 3, which have their, adjacentends beveled and adapted to fit together to form a continuous main railwhen the switch is closed to leave the main rail 3. The main rail 2 ispivoted at its end 4 and is shifted simultaneously with a switch rail 5by a rock-shaft 6, whichis provided with oppositely disposed crank bends7 and 8, forming arms and having connected with them a rod 9 and a rodand spring 10 and 11. The rod 9 e extends from the arm 7 to the mainrail 2, and 45 the rod and spring 10 and 11 form the connection betweenthe switch rail 5 and the arm 8. The switch rail 5 is pivoted at its end12 and has its other end 13 beveled and adapted to fit against theadjacent main rail 1. The bevel of the switch rail and its slope aresuch that it forms a perfect guard rail when the switch is open and themain line is clear. The main rail 2 has its beveled end 14 arrangedbetween the beveled end of the main rail 3 and a beV-- is connected withthe point of the main rail 2by a rod 18 to produce a more positiveconnection and to maintain the point rigidly in position. a

When the switch is open as illustrated in Fig. 2 of the accompanyingdrawings, a train approaching in the direction of the arrow may passwith safety over the switch by means of a longitudinally disposed plate16 and the spring 11. The spring 11 allows the flanges of the wheels atthat side of the track to force the switch rail 5 away from the mainrail 1; and the plate 16 receives the flanges of the wheels at that sideof the track and carries them safely until the treads reach the mainrail 2. The plate 16 is extended laterally at its top toward theadjacent rails, and when the rail 2 is in contact with the rail 3, thisprojecting portion fits in the space between the head and bottom flangeof the rail 2 to permit such operation of the latter. per face of theplate 16 is located sufficiently below the tread of the rails to enablethe wheel flanges to pass readily over it without jars; and both ends ofthe plate may if desired be beveled.

It will be seen that the switch is simple and comparatively inexpensivein construction, and that when the switch is open and the main line isclear the switch rail 5 forms a guard rail.

Changes in the form, proportion and the minor details of constructionmay be resorted to without departing from the principle or sacrificingany of the advantages of this invention.

What I claim is The up- 1. In a switch, the combination of a. con-';tinuous main rail 1, the main rails 2 and 3' having their adjacent endsbeveled, the main rail 2 being pivoted at its other end, a switch rail 5having one end pivoted and its other end beveled and arranged adjacentto the,

main rail 1, an immovable siding rail 15 hav- 1 ing a beveled endarranged adjacent to the. beveled end of the switch rail 2, and meansfor operating the switch rail 5 and the main 7 rail 15 arranged adjacentto the beveled end of the main rail 2, a longitudinal plate arrangedadjacent to the beveled end of the main rail 3 and extending beyond thebeveled end of the main rail 2, arock-shaft provided with arms, a rodconnecting the main rail 2 with one arm of the rock-shaft, a nd a rodand a spring forming the connection between the switch rail 5 and theother arm of the rockshaft, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixedmy signature in the presence of two witnesses,

W'ILLIAM H. ROBBINS.

Witnesses:

H. E. ROBBINS, L. V. Lop-y,

